Mad River, St. Mary: A Surprise Find

Jamaica is home to over one hundred rivers, and it’s my favourite hobby to explore them as often as I can. Most Jamaicans are only aware of the popular ones so it’s quite an adventure getting to the not-so-popular ones. Directions to off-the-beaten-path rivers are often unclear, and paths are quickly swallowed up by heavy rainfall, thick overgrowth and disuse. That being said, I like the challenge. Last December, my partner and I drove to the general vicinity of one waterfall and did what we sometimes do– stop and ask community people for directions. This time we went as far as to show a local a picture of the waterfall we were seeking, yet he led us to somewhere completely different. Was this deliberate? The world may never know, but I’m not mad about finding Mad River at all.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle40 Comments

St. Peters Waterfall, Saint Andrew

A few weeks ago, I visited the Cinchona Botanical Garden on a hike with Trekkers Adventures JA which began at Newcastle, a JDF soldier camp and training ground in the beautiful Jamaican Blue Mountains. Cinchona had been on my bucket list for years and I had a blast. My only regret was not having had enough time to visit this beautiful nameless waterfall in St. Peters which I had heard and spotted along the way. As such, I vowed to return on my own to visit this hidden gem before I forgot the directions– or the trail grew too overgrown as it is scarcely used. So said, so done! The tiny community of St. Peters in east rural St. Andrew is home to Blue Mountain coffee farms and one of the most breathtaking waterfalls I have ever witnessed. Here’s how this adventure went.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle19 Comments

Clydesdale National Forest Park, Saint Andrew

Nestled within the lush and mystical Jamaican Blue Mountains lies the Clydesdale National Forest Park, a hidden gem filled with history and untamed natural beauty. Originally founded in the 1700s, Clydesdale was the first place in Jamaica to grow coffee in commercial quantities after its founder recognized the superior quality of the beans thanks to the Blue Mountains’ unique cool and moist growing conditions. Whether you’re a a hiker, camper, birdwatcher, history buff or nature lover, Clydesdale National Forest Park has something in store for you. Here’s how my visit to Clydesdale went in October 2024 + how to plan a visit.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle21 Comments

Cinchona Botanical Garden, Saint Andrew

Nestled in the Blue Mountains, Jamaica’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, this beautiful botanical garden is named for its cinchona trees which were first planted in 1868. Cinchona trees are used to make quinine, a medicine used in the treatment of malaria, the serious mosquito-borne illness which has been eradicated from Jamaica since 1965. Located at between 4500 and 5500 feet above sea level, Cinchona Botanical Gardens boasts the record of Highest Botanical Garden in the Western Hemisphere. For these reasons, Cinchona has long been on my Jamaican bucket list but visits require either a 4×4 or hiking with an experienced guide. As such, I finally accomplished the trek with the illustrious company of Trekkers Adventures JA. Here’s how this adventure went + why you should visit!

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle23 Comments

River Rendezvous at Tapioca Getaway, St. Mary

The best adventures are spontaneous ones. With summer coming to a close and finally having a mutual day-off with my partner, we decided that a river trip was a must. Deciding on Tapioca was easy because they answered the phone on my first try, and pleasantly confirmed that walk-ins were indeed welcome! Even better, Tapioca was super easy to find along the Junction main road (A3) in St. Mary. Here’s how this adventure went + why you should add Tapioca Getaway to your Jamaican bucket list.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle16 Comments
Sunset and fog over the mountains with bird perched on tree branch

Alpinia: An Urban Oasis In Kingston, Jamaica

As a proud native of Kingston, Jamaica, I’m always happy to show off my city. This diverse city is the capital of Jamaica, and boasts a rich vibrant culture- home to the best of the island’s music, art, food, sports and cultural events. Kingston city is closely intertwined with the parish of St. Andrew, and boasts unbridled natural beauty in its three suburban city limits. Tucked away in the city’s sublime suburbs of Stony Hill lies Alpinia– an affordable one bedroom apartment and Kingston’s newest Airbnb. Here’s why you should book Alpinia on your next visit to Kingston, Jamaica.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle16 Comments

6 Jamaican Rivers You Can Visit Without Leaving Kingston & St. Andrew

Jamaica is renowned for its stunning beaches, vibrant culture and lush landscapes. While locals and visitors alike usually flock to the coast, the interior regions of Kingston & St. Andrew offer a treasure trove of natural wonders waiting to be discovered. Among these treasures are beautiful rivers, each with its own unique charm and allure. From cascading waterfalls to serene swimming spots, here are six rivers you can explore without a long drive, paying toll or leaving Kingston & St. Andrew.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle13 Comments

Shafston Great House, Westmoreland

Great houses are remnants of colonialism in Jamaica, built between the early 1700s to the mid-1800s. A great house was the seat of authority on the plantation, home to its owner or representative. Generally speaking, greathouses had two floors typically made of brick or cut stone, but the second floor was sometimes constructed of wood. At slavery’s peak, there were about 700 of these homes across Jamaica but fewer than 100 remain today due to a combination of fires from slave revolts and eventual neglect or demolition by its owners. Exploring great houses may be seen as morbid given the ghastly history of enslavement they represent, but I enjoy visiting for the architecture. They also serve as a reminder to celebrate how far my people have come. With that said, here’s how I ended up at the Shafston Great House in Westmoreland.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle21 Comments

Bluefields Organic Farm Tour, Westmoreland

Farm tours offer a multifaceted experience that benefits both individuals and communities. Among these benefits include: hands-on learning, community building, environmental awareness, cultural exchange, support for local agriculture and my favourite, a deepened connection to nature which promotes health and wellness. One place to experience a farm tour in Jamaica is at the Bluefields Organic Farm in Belmont, Westmoreland. This farm contains 2.3 acres of lush farmland and houses over 60 local and exotic fruit trees, herbs and vegetables. In turn, these trees provide refuge to dozens of birds, many of which are endemic species. Read on to learn why this farm tour deserves a spot on your Jamaican bucket list. To learn about Bluefields’ other offerings, such as their homestays and massages, click here.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle14 Comments

Bluefields Organic Farm: Connect to Nature with a Homestay in Jamaica

Jamaica is a leading Caribbean tourist destination because of its vibrant culture, delicious food, stunning landscapes and warm hospitality. In fact, of the island’s record-breaking 4.1 million visitor arrivals in 2023, 42% represented repeat visits which attests to the beauty of Jamaica and the welcoming nature of its people. The best way to experience authentic Jamaica is to stay with its people: living like they do, eating like they eat and going where they go. Read on to learn six reasons why a homestay at the Bluefields Organic Farm in western Jamaica can allow you to accomplish all that– and then some.

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Rochelle | Adventuresfromelle14 Comments